How long does it take to design a website for contractors, freelancers, and small businesses? This is a fair question, as anyone working in these settings knows that “time is money”! The sooner you get a professional website designed and published, the sooner it starts earning for you.
On the other hand, it’s vital that you invest in the time needed to create a high-quality website. After all, that site is often a visitor’s first impression of you and your services. Also, a poor-quality site won’t even attract visitors, much less convert them to paying customers or clients. With this in mind, check out some information about how long it often takes to design a website for contractors.
On average, it might take up to 3-4 months to design and publish a website for contractors. There are several reasons why a web designer often needs that long to get your site up and running.
First, remember that a web designer doesn’t necessarily know your industry inside and out. In turn, they might need to research the services you offer and the particulars to mention on your site.
For instance, suppose a foundation repair company hires a contractor web design expert to create their website. That site should include useful information about various repair options. In turn, the web designer might need to learn some basics about underpinning, slab jacking, and so on. However, we do recommend you find a website designer who works within your niche or industry.
Also, web designers need to research important keywords before they create any content. Keywords refers to words and phrases people use when searching for something online. As an example, a homeowner needing foundation fixes might search for “residential foundation repair,” “foundation crack repair,” and the like.
The designer should also create a mock up or a rough draft of what the site basics will look like so that you can approve it and go back and forth on the details and changes needed.
Search engines like Google and Bing match those terms to what they see on a website. Consequently, web designers need to research these relevant keywords before they begin creating any content!
Lastly, note that quality website content takes time to compose. Even an experienced content writer might take several hours to research a subject before writing. Then, they need to compose, proofread, edit, and publish the content.
A web designer will also need to do "wrap up" tasks such as checking site speed, make sure everything is mobile friendly, and any plugins being used are in check before launch.
While these steps might seem extensive, note that they’re all vital for ensuring an effective website. For example, suppose a writer rushes through their job and posts content with spelling and grammar errors. A visitor to the site might assume the contractor is just as negligent when on the job! As a result, it’s vital that the designer and their team take the time needed for high-quality work.
In most cases, a website redesign might take 45-90 days. Redesigning a website is often faster than creating a new site because some work is done already. This might include content writing, keyword research, Google indexing, and so on.
Also, a current site might only need a few “tweaks” rather than being redone from the ground up. As an example, a website might not use appropriate keywords or enough keywords throughout. In turn, a designer might simply edit the content to add them in.
Additionally, some sites might need minimal editing but more content. Consequently, a designer might have a writer create blog posts, additional service pages, and so on. This helps “bulk up” the site so that it looks more attractive to search engines. These steps are often far quicker than building a site from scratch.
In some cases, a contractor, small business owner, or freelancer might only need a simple website. For instance, suppose you own a hair salon with an established clientele. In that case, you might only need a site that lists your location, hours, and an online appointment form.
It is possible to create simple websites like that in one day. In fact, many hosting sites offer templates that only require you to fill in needed content. Those hosting sites usually design those templates with small businesses and freelancers in mind. In turn, you can simply “fill in the blanks” and have a functioning site within a few hours!
However, being able to design a website this quickly doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your needs. For instance, even established businesses might need to compete with other companies in the same area. In turn, your site will need to stand out in search engine results! To that end, your site might need added keywords and content.
In conclusion, don’t assume that faster is better when it comes to web design. Even though “time is money” for your business, so is a quality website.
There is no “one size fits all” answer about website costs for small businesses. On average, a designer might charge anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 for a published site. Factors affecting this price include the site’s size, any technical research needed, and added features.
For instance, contractors especially might need to showcase a portfolio of their work. Adding these photos requires more time and skill from the designer. A designer also needs more time to create interactive features such as contact forms. The more time needed to create the site, the higher the price.
Lastly, a larger site with added pages means more content writing. Paying a writer for their research and work also adds to a website’s overall price. However, these factors also contribute to the site’s success in the long run! A small business owner can then usually expect to earn back that cost in terms of increased revenue over time.
The team here at LeadsForward is happy to help answer the question, how long does it take to design a website? Hopefully you found this information useful! Also, don’t hesitate to check out our blog for even more insight on web design for small business owners and contractors. Our team is also happy to discuss your company’s web design needs at your earliest convenience. Simply fill out our contact form or give us a call. We’re happy to answer your questions and get your website creation started at your earliest convenience.
